VAT calculator for South Africa
Add 15% VAT to a price, or find out how much VAT is inside an amount that already includes it. Free, instant, and no sign-up.
- Amount excl. VAT
- R 0.00
- VAT (15%)
- R 0.00
- Amount incl. VAT
- R 0.00
How VAT works in South Africa
VAT (value-added tax) is charged at 15% on most goods and services. If your business is VAT registered, you charge VAT to your customers, pay it over to SARS, and claim back the VAT you paid on your own business purchases.
Adding VAT: price excluding VAT × 1.15. A R2,000 job becomes R2,300, of which R300 is VAT.
Removing VAT: price including VAT ÷ 1.15. A R2,300 total contains R300 of VAT and R2,000 before VAT. Note that the VAT is not 15% of the VAT-inclusive total, it is 15/115 of it.
Do you need to register for VAT?
- Compulsory: if your taxable turnover exceeds R1 million in any 12-month period.
- Voluntary: if your taxable turnover has exceeded R50,000 in the last 12 months, which can help if your customers are VAT-registered businesses.
- Not registered: do not add VAT to your quotes or invoices.
This page is general information, not tax advice. Check current rules with SARS or your accountant.
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Get started freeCommon VAT questions
›What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
The standard VAT rate in South Africa is 15%. It has been 15% since 1 April 2018. Some supplies are zero-rated (0%) or exempt, such as basic foodstuffs and certain financial services.
›How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the VAT-exclusive price by 1.15. For example, R1,000 excluding VAT becomes R1,150 including VAT, of which R150 is VAT.
›How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the VAT-inclusive price by 1.15 to get the price excluding VAT. To get just the VAT amount, multiply the VAT-inclusive price by 15 and divide by 115. For example, R1,150 including VAT is R1,000 excluding VAT, and the VAT is R150.
›When must my business register for VAT?
Registration is compulsory once your taxable turnover has exceeded R1 million in any consecutive 12-month period (or is expected to in the next 12 months). You can register voluntarily if your taxable turnover has exceeded R50,000 in the past 12 months. Check the current rules on the SARS website, as thresholds can change.
›Should my quote or invoice show VAT?
Only if you are VAT registered. If you are, show the VAT amount separately and include your VAT number. If you are not registered, do not charge VAT, and it is good practice to state that you are not VAT registered.
›What must a tax invoice show?
In general: the words 'Tax Invoice', your name, address and VAT number, an invoice number and date, a description of the goods or services, the quantity, and the price with the VAT amount (or a statement that VAT is included). For invoices above R5,000 the customer's name, address and VAT number (if they are registered) are needed too. Confirm the details with SARS or your accountant.